14 Things No Woman Should Ever Have To Fear

11/15/2014 09:44 am ETUpdated
Jan 15, 2015

1. Her sexuality.You should never have to feel guilty for how you choose to express your sexuality. If you are doing something because it is what you want, then embrace it. If you don't want to do something, don't do it. It's your body, its your choice.

2. Whether or not she is "Wife Material."There is no such thing as "Wife Material." You will be the perfect woman for the perfect man who chooses to respect you, appreciate you and love you for all that you are. Women shouldn't have to worry if their personalities, careers and hobbies will prevent them from finding a spouse. If you want to be married, you will be just the material the right man desires.

3. Being unsure about having children.
Not every woman wants children. Seriously, check the Internet, you are not alone. Your mind may change, or it may not. Either way, it's your decision. You don't have to be afraid to be open and honest about the future that you want. It doesn't make you less of a woman. It doesn't make you a heartless wench. It's your life and you only get one, so live it the way that you want to.

4. The changing of her body.
As you get older, your body will change, and that's OK. As you become more of woman, your body usually does too. Be healthy and feel good. Trying to fight some inevitable physical changes that you will undergo is tiresome and useless. Feel love for yourself and spread it to other women as you grow in wisdom and spirit.

5. Having people dislike her.
Not everyone is going to like you. Some people will actually have their heart set on finding reasons not to like you. This will happen in the workplace and also in your personal life. It's the nature of human relationships. Stick to your opinions and values. Be who you are. If you spend your life fearing the perceptions of others, you will never truly perfect the perception that you have of yourself.

6. Starting over.
Sometimes you just have to pack up your clothes and dreams, and try again. There is no shame in moving away and flat out starting over. Nothing is set in stone. You don't have to live in any one place, study any one subject, work any one job, or be with any one man. If you need to start over, take that leap of faith and find the life you desire and deserve.

7. Cutting ties with negative people.
It's never easy to let go of people, especially if they at one point brought you a lot of happiness. However, the people you choose to associate with in this world will make or break you. They will either help you rise up or they will bring you down. If people are bringing you down, you can't feel afraid to leave them. You can't feel that you owe them your presence, because you do not. You have to do what is best for yourself in this life and rid yourself of people who continually hurt you or bring negativity into your life.

8. Having strong opinions.
There may have been a time when women made it by biting their tongues and crossing their legs, but those days are over. What are some of us still afraid of? Angering others? Being undesirable to peers and lovers? The kind of people that will show you disdain for being passionate about your opinions are not the kind of people you want to choose for friends and lovers, anyway. There is a respectful way to stand up for what you believe in. You are entitled to that. The world is entitled to it as well, because it needs people with passion to fuel its movement in the right direction.

9. Taking chances.
Thrive in the uncertain. The only thing in life that is for certain is that you will die one day. When that day arrives, do you think the current reservations that are holding you back will seem the least bit substantial? They won't. So go for it, and don't let anyone in this world tell you not to.

10. Being alone.
You don't need anyone. It's so easy to feel that empty spot in your heart and feel you need to fill it with a man or with your close circle of friends and family. The truth is that the spot in your heart is reserved for your own love. It is there to remind you that dreams are never finished. You can always strive for more and grow in love for yourself and for what you can accomplish in this world. You don't need anything or anyone, but your courage and your beating heart.

11. Whether she will have to choose between a career and a family.
I will start out by saying this; women are superheroes. Many women that I know with strong careers have a ton of family and motherly responsibilities, and still handle it all like a master. If you choose to have your career, then that's fantastic. If you choose to stay at home, as my mother did, that's also a noble and honorable decision. You don't have to worry about whether or not a career will inhibit your ability to have a family. You can have anything that you want. Strive for every one of those dreams.

12. How her appearance will affect how other people treat her.
Your style is your own unique outlet for self expression. There has always been a particular focus on the appearance of women and on how they decide to dress. The more we recognize and support it, the more we fuel it. If it's work, dress appropriately, but how you want to. Don't feel you have to dress more or less feminine to be respected. Don't feel you have to dress any way to fit some kind of mold as a young woman, you don't. Wear makeup if you want to, and don't if you don't. Try out the red lipstick or even the red hair. Be you.

13. Being in a male-dominated career field.
This is 2014, and the reality of the career force is that the innovators are the founders of the future. The amount of women in STEM and other male-dominated career fields is growing, and there is a place in that growth for your own unique contribution. Who cares if you are the minority? Demand and expect respect. You are just as intelligent and competent as the majority. You're bringing new and fresh ideas. You're working towards a remarkable goal. Don't ever be fearful of that chance.

14. Not being able to reach her full potential.
You are strong. You are brilliant. You are ambitious. You are exceptional. As a young woman, you are at the threshold of greatness, and that opportunity cannot be lost due to the fears this world places upon you. Life is always going to create adversity and obstacles that make you feel helpless. Life will tell you that you can't have the career you desire, it's just too hard. It will tell you that you can't find love. It will tell you that you aren't good enough. It will tell you that you can't make a difference. It will push you down and show you what you're made of. Thank life for that. Thank the people and the situations that make you realize how strong and capable you truly are. As a young woman, life may seem chaotic and unruly at times, but fear will be your number one enemy in this world. Crush it and kick some ass, ladies.

Yearling | $6.99 | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Are-You-There-God-Margaret/dp/0440404193" target="_hplink">Amazon.com</a>
"It tackles religion, the awkwardness of adolescence, and the weird contraptions that women used to use when they first got their periods. (References to the "belt" definitely confused me as a kid.)" -Kathleen Massara, Editor, Huffington Post Arts

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14 Things No Woman Should Ever Have To Fear

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'Are You There God, It's Me Margaret' By Judy Blume

Yearling | $6.99 | <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Are-You-There-God-Margaret/dp/0440404193" target="_hplink">Amazon.com</a>
"It tackles religion, the awkwardness of adolescence, and the weird contraptions that women used to use when they first got their periods. (References to the "belt" definitely confused me as a kid.)" -Kathleen Massara, Editor, Huffington Post Arts